Matched - Ally Condie (Matched #1)

*5 stars*

Finally! I've been waiting for such a long time to read it, I don't even know, what kept me so long.

For a starter, the only other Dystopian book I've ever read, was the Hunger Games, and let's just say they're vastly different. This world is designed to only undergo actions with maximized benefits for the society and through this, to individuals. For example, the amount of food you need to consume, in order to stay in your best possible physical state, is calculated and strictly observed. So is the amount of physical exercise and leisure time. You can't even go jogging if you want and your own time was non-existent.

The most fitting job for every individual is calculated and decided for them as is the person, you are to marry. All of it of course to assure an individuals maximal amount of happiness. Sounds blissful, doesn't it?
Yeah, right. Don't wear anything pretty in case your neighbors should feel jealous. I mean a world, were you can't even throw away your garbage in peace, everything will be recorded and all anomalies noted, sounds a bit paranoid. All the symbolism they had to use in order to not be discovered was a nice touch. It made them think outside the box and truly see things like they were.The way Kys story was revealed, piece by piece and through drawings was really sad.

Marked - P.C. and Kristin Cast (House of Night #1)

*5 stars*

After a really long time finally one paperback! I've gotten so used to ebooks I had forgotten exactly how good it felt! This book didn't make me fall face first into bed and giggle, but it kept me constantly focused with a weird smile on my face.

I have to say, it was really easy to get into this book. I liked Zoey, her humor and sarcasm made me laugh. Zoey reminded me a lot of myself. The ability to completely forget the most important appointment for the day and then conveniently remember it like 2 minutes before. "Oh, hell!" I so agree Zoey :D For once again this take of vampires was new to me. Apparently their existence was a public knowledge and they were even researched by scientists. I also liked the theory (or in that case, the lack of it) how the Trackers chose people and Marked.

The book gets a quick start and Zoey gets thrown in the middle of everything. I feel the need to point how pathetic her perfect family was. John was really a gigantic narrow-minded and hypocritical step-loser. I really liked, how they blew everything over the top and still keeping it believable. But I think that there are families out there like hers, and most definitely like Damiens. He was such a sweet guy, making fun of his own gayness, yet still being so incredibly alone. I really hope he finds someone! I liked Erik as well. It was fun reading everyone squirm every time he came close! Her whole "circle" was awesome! Their loyal and always behind her back ♥

I also really enjoyed how Nix played the central role in the whole story. How she has been the same for the beginning of times, just with different names, choosing special people to carry out assignments. And the Mystery of the Big Bad made me also twitch and want to read even quicker. I even enjoyed the descriptive parts with rituals and circle casting. I could really picture the rooms and Zoey in the midst.

The Charm - Alana Siegel (Olivia Hart and the Gifted Program #1)

*5 stars* I don't like to give a perfect score. But this time I did.

Again, a huge thank you for the author for providing me with a copy in exchange of a review! A pretty cover and intriguing synopsis made sure, that I fell for the book from the first look!

The beginning was slow. The characters were introduced properly, before we got into the deeper action, but at times it felt too unnecessarily draggy. About halfway through the book, we finally got to some action. I really liked, how all the discovery was set up and Olivias complete obliviousness. Her thorough bafflement made me smile, cute! And even though I'm a sucker for a good romance, it was refreshing to have a storyline were the impossible love was not the main focus. There was just enough romance to keep me rooting for the shy couple. Cutecutecute!

And I really liked the idea of the Gifted. Not even as unique, but so well thought through. The pace felt exactly right. Not too rushed or slow.  The characters rocked as well. Justin really was intense, and the friendship between Jamie and Olivia ♥ The ending left me wishing I had the sequel called The Retreat already! It's said, that hope is for fools, but I REALLY hope, that someday, the #2 book in the Olivia Hart and the Gifted Program series becomes available for ARR as well! Much love!

Seduction and Snacks - Tara Sivec (Chocolate Lovers #1)

*5 stars* A wonderful must-read! I laughed, I giggled and I held my stomach as tears of mirth ran down my face. Literally. 

It's thoroughly an adult book, dealing with unexpected pregnancies, raising kids and at the same time trying to maintain at least some social life. The story was sweet and beautiful. I don't remember laughing my ass off like this, at a book. Ever. It was witty, funny and sexy as hell and I could just see everything happening before my eyes while reading.

"As soon as I took eleventy-billion home pregnancy tests, after drinking a gallon of milk so I would have enough pee for all of them, I realized I needed to hunt this guy down. Of course, this was after I Googled "milk and pregnancy tests" to make sure I didn't just spend thirty-seven minutes of my life staring in horror at positive pregnancy tests littered all over my bathroom that may or may not be correct because pasteurization messed with the hormones in your body and created a false positive."

And lets just say Gavin was extremely adorable. Already four, he was a big boy running around and yelling obscenities.  Hilarities ensue.

 "Papa says your friends Johnny, Jack and Jose maded you sick. Friends shouldn't do stuff like that, Mommy. If Luke maded me sick, I'd punch him in the nuts!" "Gavin! Come on, we don't say things like that," I scolded him. "Fine," he huffed. "I'd tickle him in the nuts." Jesus Christ on a waffle cone. There's a reason why some animals in the wild eat their young.

I could go on and on quoting the rest of the book, but that would rather miss the point of the review. The fact is, that I loved it. I read it in a day and would without a thought recommend it to everybody. Well, probably PG14 more likely. Amongst the fun and witty are hidden pretty sharp puns about the "real" life of an adult. So yeah, go for it!!

And there's a sequel! Futures and Frostings is supposed to be released in October. I'm all excited, but also a little nervous. The ending was perfect. I'm not sure I'm up to dealing with some inevitable, but still , downfalls between Carter and Claire. And Gavin is going to grow up! The pouty toddler was at times my favourite! But, I'm excited! I love her style and I'll be sure to check it out!

Beautiful Disaster - Jamie McGuire (Beautiful #1)

*5 stars* I read an ebook edition and have to say I LOVE this cover. More than the other one.

Such a good-mood book.  It made me happy. Regardless of the plot, this emotional roller-coaster decides if I like a book or not. And this one rocked with full speed. I was tearing though the pages, forsaking precious few hours of sleep just to read, moaaar! I even liked the plot, for once with all the drama. Their relationship was crazy, so was their drama. It was intense and sexy as hell.

It was refreshing to meet female character coming from shady background. Abby grew up playing poker with her dad and drinking each other under the table.More than anything she wants to get from anything, reminding her her childhood. But typically, Travis is exactly all that and a lot more. Both had their own demons (and each other) to battle with.

Travis's family, "Six unruly, foul-mouthed and lovable men" like Abby said, made me grin wide. The sweetest type of a real family. Everyone's goofing around, but at the same time they're always there, at your back. I would have loved to hear more of Jim, Travis's father. "You're not the only one with a Poker face." Oh Travis, Travis *million hugs*.

And I just can't help but roll on the floor laughing, when thinking about Parker. He was just so completely and ultimately dumped, repeatedly. The conversations about Parker went on something like, "And Parker? He's not talking to me. Again." Hilarious!

I have to say the ending was unexpected. I almost sprayed out my tea, when I read it. But I guess, I really shouldn't be. It's them after all! Nothing was ordinary.

I also dug up the #2 book. Told in Travis POV. I'm very sceptic about these type of sequels. Seems like a cheap way to carry on. But first we'll have to survive the end of the world. The release of Walking Disaster is scheduled in 2013 after all :)

Game of Thrones - George R. R. Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire #1)

*5 stars* grading a book has never been so easy and impossible at the same time! Winter is coming.

Truly an epic beginning to an amazing journey. The world is dark and sinister and cruel. At start we thrown right into the midst of the action. It was confusing and took some time to get to know the characters. And when finally familiar with all the names, I half thought of returning to the beginning. I'm sure it was full of little things I had now way of noticing. But it was worth it. Out of the shadows shaped out real people with flaws and mistakes.

I loved the universe the author built.  And yes. Even with all the physical, logical and geographical etc. impossibilities and plot-holes. It was awesome! At times it was a bit difficult to follow all the greatgreat uncles and nieces of the main characters and all the classical intrigues between them. It tended to get a bit draggy and outright boring even. But when finally getting back to that seemingly draggy part through another character in the other end of the world with a completely different point of view and then connecting the dots... Let's just say it again. It was awesome.

What really won the was for me was the way the it drew me in and made it believable.(HBOs show might have helped with the image part a bit, but anyways,) The description and style made the environment come alive and gave real emotion to the written words.  I'm hooked.

I could feel the characters developing and changing after every chapter. My personal favourites were the Starks. Winterfell! The idea of direwolves just makes me shiver. In a good way. Especially the discovery of the wolf pups. With the Starks grew up a Snow. "Bastards grow up faster." It's hard, but oddly fitting as well. Lord Snow was another intriguing character. His impossible sense of honour, duty and a secret wish of his fathers love. The wall was a scary place. I loved the bits we were given to see of the world behind. I think he can finally shine there. In his element.

The Iron Queen - Julie Kagawa (The Iron Fey #3)

*5 stars* ♥

The third book in The Iron Fey series starts better than any previous! Or maybe because of already familiar universe, but I was instantly drawn into the battle between the Fey worlds.

Back are all our old friends and many new faces as well. Grimalkin is still the same, constantly disappearing know-it-all. He's such a cat. Gremlins, especially Razor, were awfully sweet as well, calling Meghan Master and all. So trusting and self-sacrificing, almost like little electronic dogs. 

As it appears, our dear Ash does have a possessive streak. And I think it's great! The chemistry between them was half the fun for me. It brings so much more life into the action. Ash was amazing. His emotions made me really feel his character. His pain and depth. At times the next move was rather obvious, but could you blame him? His feelings were so fragile. He's such a darling!

As always Puck was cool as well but I don't understand the big commotion around his character. His chipper attitude seems to suffer from a pretty blunt refusal, with what ironically he's stuck. Peevish and sneaky, but nowhere near stealing the spotlight.Oh well. He very much reminded me of Peter Pan, with his boyish character and desire never to grow up.

General Blog Update! + The Iron Daughter - Julie Kagawa (Iron Fey #2)

Happy Monday!
I'm finally starting to know my way around in the huge world of book bloggers. It's awesome! I've also picked up some designing tips and gave my blog a new face. I'm really happy with the outcome!
Exams are nearing, oh no! Sadly that means even less time for books. I only get to read couple of chapters a day. And because of that I've decided to abandon my long-time policy of not doing reviews on series! That way I can celebrate every read book :) Also please do continue being awesome and let me know your thoughts! I appreciate each and every one!

*5 stars*

The second book in the Iron Fey series surprised me pleasantly! I loved this book so much more! I guess the time needed to truly get into the series finally paid off! At times the storyline seemed a bit cliché, but somehow I still managed to understand her feelings. I enjoyed watching Meghan grow "an iron backbone" - both, she and Ash grew up so much!

It picked off right where the Winter Passage left off. (If you haven't read the 60-something page novella you didn't miss out anything crucial, but I do recommend it! It showed us extra scenes of developing feelings, thus setting up a base for a smooth transition. And it was just sweet mush at times, just what I needed!)
Seeing Meghan go through some misery and pain as well for a change of only happy-go-lucky was much needed. Nothing forces us to mature quicker than a broken heart. 

However, what seriously got on my nerves was the same-old same-old Noble-Idiot syndrome. I understand we can't jump right to the happy ending, I really do! But stretching pointlessly the unnecessary tension and then suddenly abandoning all the previous objections. *sigh* A creature as old as Ash should already know better.

Flowers in the Attic - V.C.Andrews (Dollanganger #1)

*5 stars*

I really just stumbled on this book by accident and wow! It must the one of the most fascinating stories I've read this past year. It has been already two weeks since I first finished it and yet all the characters are vivid and alive before my eyes. It made me think. To put the book down and really think.

I had so many favorite parts I remember clearly even after two weeks that  I don't even know where to start! I loved it! It was amazing!

Flowers in the Attic wasn't typical YA with laugh out moments, it was haunting. After a little research about the book, I discovered it had been pretty famous at time. I must have missed it, I had never even heard about the author. I found a lot of critique and nitpicking about the writing, but really? I was so consumed by the emotions I hardly noticed!

First I was mesmerised by the synopsis. The idea of a loving mother locking her darling children up to the attic and the struggles the kids had to go through to maintain mental and physical health as well as be parents to their little siblings and raising them. It was terrible and absolutely mesmerising.

City of Bones - Cassandra Clare (The Mortal Instruments #1)

*5stars*

I didn't even wan't to read this book. On Goodreads there was an awful lot of negative critizism. But, which book doesn't, right? What got me reading were the quotes actually. Quirky and funny, if the whole book were like this... 

“That's why when major badasses greet each other in movies, they don't say anything, they just nod. The nod means, 'I' am a badass, and I recognize that you, too, are a badass,' but they don't say anything because they're Wolverine and Magneto and it would mess up their vibe to explain.”

It kinda was. I mean I was maddly giggling on my bed, listening an audiobook, at 3 A.M. Seriously? I don't even remember, which book last managed to make me laugh that much.

Jace was a perfect match  between a villain and a hero. He didn't go around raping the girl he confessed to be maddly in love with, like so much dark heros tend to think equals ultimate love. He was the type of guy who burning down your house and laughing still managed to look tender and romantic. And Clary? I loved her as well. She didn't whine about wanting both of the guys. She made her choices (indeed, back and fort, but anyway) and she lived with it. And the famous second lead! Simon, I luff you as well!!! Behind a whimpy kid there's an actual character. An actual story that was interesting! And the best side character, Magnus. I think I died laughing.

“Magnus, standing by the door, snapped his fingers impatiently. "Move it along, teenagers. The only person who gets to canoodle in my bedroom is my magnificent self."
"Canoodle?" repeated Clary, never having heard the word before.
"Magnificent?" repeated Jace, who was just being nasty."

The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins

*5stars*

Oh. Wow.
I just finished with the first book in The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. And even though I was listening to an audiobook I have to say the experience was breathtaking. It took me just two days to finish.

I picked up the book somewhat reluctantly. Bestsellers often tend to be too overrated and end up disappointing me. The beginning was nice, but nothing extraordinary. A rebellious girl trying to maintain and support her family after her fathers death. With her best friend she hunts in the forbidden woods etc.
And then, boom! The Reaping Day and on the the Capital and the Hunger Games. The readers are swiftly swept into a totally mesmerising and twisted world of the rich and poor. What is the right thing to do? The game over life and death in portrayed on the border of game and reality, keeping the readers totally captivated.

One of the issues I had while reading was the character of Katniss. She turned out to be quite an egoistic one, instead of the nobody-cares-about-me-and-doesn’t-even-know-I-exist type introduced to us in the beginning. The constant reminder of how everybody is watching her and “I’m definitely on the screen” kind of attitude tired me pretty soon.
Also, I would have loved to see more of Gale and Cinna - two of my instant favorite characters. Peeta was very sweet, but that’s kinda all there was. I see, why the overall romance was importad, yet still, I would have done better with less of it.

Still, the whole book was breathtaking. In some point I discovered myself gasping for air in the bus, while listening to the audiobook, sadly it doesn't happen often. Definitely recommend it to anyone up to a good action

Now, can't wait to get on the book two - Catching Fire.